Holidays in South Africa 2025
South Africa observes 12 public holidays in 2025. 11 fall on a weekday and 1 land on a weekend, leaving 250 working days across the year on the national-only count.
2025 public holidays calendar
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Wednesday | New Year's Day |
| Mar 21 | Friday | Human Rights Day |
| Apr 18 | Friday | Good Friday |
| Apr 21 | Monday | Family Day |
| Apr 28 | Monday | Freedom Day (observed) |
| May 1 | Thursday | Workers' Day |
| Jun 16 | Monday | Youth Day |
| Aug 9 | Saturday (weekend) | National Women's Day |
| Sep 24 | Wednesday | Heritage Day |
| Dec 16 | Tuesday | Day of Reconciliation |
| Dec 25 | Thursday | Christmas Day |
| Dec 26 | Friday | Day of Goodwill |
2025 year summary
Total days
365
Weekend days
104
Public holidays on weekdays
11
Working days
250
The 1 weekend-falling public holidays in 2025 are absorbed into the regular Saturday and Sunday count, so the working-day reduction comes only from the 11 weekday-falling entries. South Africa observes 12 public holidays under the Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994. When a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed under section 2 of the Act; Saturday-falling holidays are absorbed into the weekend without an in-lieu Monday.
Holidays not included
Religious observances such as Reformation Day, the Day of the Vow (pre-1994 December 16 name now replaced by Day of Reconciliation), and minor church-tradition days are not in this set. The Public Service Act and Basic Conditions of Employment Act apply only to the 12 statutory holidays. School holidays vary by province and term schedule and are excluded. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) follows the same observance schedule as the SARB.